Red Bull Faces Liam Lawson Decision With Nikola Tsolov Waiting in the Wings

Liam Lawson has delivered a strong 2026 campaign, scoring 39 points in the opening 10 rounds to help Racing Bulls draw level with Alpine in the constructors' fight for fifth. Despite his consistency, his long-term future is clouded by Red Bull prospect Nikola Tsolov, who leads the Formula 2 championship and is pushing for a 2027 promotion.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's junior program is notoriously ruthless, and Lawson knows that respectable results do not guarantee safety when the next prospect arrives. Tsolov's rise forces the energy drink giant to choose between an established points scorer and a potential star, while also factoring in Arvid Lindblad's impressive rookie season at the Faenza squad.

The details:

• Lawson's 39-point haul has Racing Bulls tied with Alpine in the tight battle for fifth in the constructors' standings.
• Tsolov sits atop the F2 standings with a 27-point cushion over Gabriele Mini, making him the clear standout in Red Bull's talent pool.
• Speculation that Tsolov would partner Lindblad next season has been dismissed by Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane, who says the decision will come later in the season.
• Lindblad's own strong rookie campaign gives Red Bull two viable in-house options, but potentially only one seat to fill.

What's next:

Red Bull is expected to take its time before committing to a 2027 lineup. Lawson will need to keep outperforming to ward off the challenge, while Tsolov must maintain his F2 lead to force the issue. A final call likely will not arrive until the closing months of the season.